So you just bought a boat and now you have the big decision of what to name it (and you thought shopping for the ideal boat size and model was a challenge!).
For some, naming your boat can be one of the most difficult decisions a boater must face. Whether you are looking at a shiny white transom awaiting its first boat name, or you just bought a used boat emblazoned with “Lazy Bear” and need to replace it ASAP (yeah, that did happen to us with our first boat!)… you need to pick that ideal name for your boat.
But how to choose? Do you opt for something funny with a cute boating pun? Or do you choose a name that has a personal story behind it?
Whatever your boat naming strategy, reviewing a list of popular boat names can help you get started with choosing a boat name.
You might see the perfect name on this list… or it might help you steer clear of popular names so you can pick one more unique. Or, it can help spark some ideas for creative names that you might want to choose for your boat.
Each year Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has released its annual top ten boat name list based on their boat graphics data from the previous year (2015). They also have over two decades of top ten boat name lists and over 9,000 names in its online Boat Name Directory with A-Z options and photos.
Most Popular Boat Names
See how their latest top 10 most popular boat names for 2016 compares to top boat names for 2015 and 2014.
2016 – Top 10 Popular Boat Names
1. Happy Ours
2. Freedom
3. Grace
4. Serendipity
5. Island Time
6. No Regrets
7. Liberty
8. At Last
9. Blue Moon
10. Aqua holic
2015 – Top 10 Popular Boat Names
1. Serenity
2. Seas the Day
3. Andiamo
4. Aquaholic
5. Second Wind
6. Island Time
7. Happy Ours
8. Journey
9. Serendipity
10. Relentless
2014 – Top 10 Popular Boat Names
1. Serenity
2. Second Wind
3. Island Girl
4. Freedom
5. Pura-Vida
6. Andiamo
7. Island Time
8. Irish Wake
9. Happy Hours
10. Seas the Day
How a boat makes you feel continues to be a popular way to choose a boat name. “Serenity” is consistently a popular boat name (#1 for 2015 and 2014) and it is also the name’s tenth appearance on the popular list of boat names issued annually since 1992. “Happy Hours” is also consistently on the list of popular boat names – a past time boaters tend to enjoy.
Whatever you choose, I think your boat names should be a personal expression – it should speak to you as your personal mantra, a play on words that expresses your attitude in life. And if you buy a boat that does has “Lazy Bear” emblazoned on the stern… you may just want to start thinking fast about your next boat name!
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Diane Seltzer
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